That vast edge in experience would seem to suggest a Federer victory, but tennis has a way of consistently delivering these May-October encounters in which the outcome is never certain.
And this one wasn't, not until the very end.
One day after beating No. 4-ranked David Ferrer in a match that went longer than three hours, Nishikori backed it up with a win against the man many feel is the greatest player ever.Nishikori, who was down a set and break in the second, came back to stun Federer 3-6, 7-5, 6-4.
Federer's backhand failed him down the stretch and he finished with 39 unforced errors versus only 29 winners. Nishikori was more efficient, with 24 winners and 31 errors. In the end, the highest-ranked Japanese man (at No. 21) carved out one more break of serve (five) than Federer, who at 32 is eight years older.
